The Luminous Fairies and Mothra

The Luminous Fairies and Mothra is a serialized novel written in 1961 by Takehiko Fukunaga, Shinichiro Nakamura, and Yoshie Hotta. It marks the first appearance of Mothra in any form of media, and was the basis for her debut film of the same name. It was originally serialized in Weekly Asahi, and was later collected in paperback form.

Contents

Plot

An expedition to a quiet island in the South Pacific by a group of Americans finds a marvel of modern science living amongst a native tribe - The presence of numerous tiny fairies called the Airenas, who follow and adore their godess, Mothra. The expedition steals away the fairies, unaware that they have angered the island's godess. Mothra hatches and travels to Japan, eventually metamorphosing into her adult form, and then flies to America, annihilating a city and rescuing her fairies, before returning to the island to live out her life in peace.

Trivia

The Airenas form the basis for the Shobijin, and begin a convention which would be maintained throughout both the Godzilla and Mothra series.